By Marife Padao

Marife ‘Epie’ Padao, a physical therapist by profession, is from Katipunan, Zamboanga del Sur,a former Columban parish in the Diocese of Pagadian, and is now working in the Columban parish in Dublin, Ireland. 

Leaving family in the province for greener pastures in the big city is quite common for a fresh college graduate to do.  It was 1997 in Manila when I volunteered at the Elderly Program in Payatas, Quezon City, where the Vincentian Fathers are based.  Payatas is the place where the trash slide happened in July 2000.  My purpose was to acquire a volunteer certificate for future use for applying abroad while doing my self-review for the board exam. 

There I met religious people - priests, nuns, lay missionaries and seminarians.  Gradually I learned to love my work and enjoy it.  I forgot the purpose and the pursuit of my dream of working in a hospital abroad.  I failed to concentrate on my review and instead focused myself at working with the elderly in Payatas.  I was to spend a decade with them.
     
My life in Payatas was so colorful with my ups and downs. After two years of working, a Columban Lay Missionary invited me to join them.  I asked her for a discernment of three years, and extended it for another two years, thinking of my parents.  When my mother died my passion to join the Lay Mission was still there but I still had my father and I wanted him to enjoy the fruits of his labor.
     
Time passed and things happened. My father got married again and I was so disappointed and upset.  He had promised he would not marry again. It took me years to accept that I can't change the reality.
     
During my reflections I realized that this was now the time to give myself a chance to enjoy my life, to give the fullness of it and to answer the call of God.  There was no reason for turning back.  I felt the emptiness in my life.  There was still a need in my spiritual journey which I failed to have in my decade in Payatas.  I gave my life for them but I forgot to think of myself – to receive in return.  I AM A GIVER.
     
I was so happy then when I was invited for mission here in Ireland after our nine months of orientation in the Philippines. It's really a gift from God.  Although I have my ups and downs, I think of God's blessings.  I have the taste of the fullness of life.
     
I have just started my real missionary life in the Columban-run St Joseph’s Parish, Balcurris, Dublin. I will share my life and bring my Filipino values and be open to all the possibilities that may happen, living in a culture so different from my own.  
     
I am grateful to God for giving me the opportunity to be with the Columbans, and I thank them for bringing me from pieces into wholeness again.

You may write Epie at: St Joseph’s Parish, Balcurris, DUBLIN 11, IRELAND, or email her atmfe_may@yahoo.com